Turntable and bearing assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly for supporting and turning a rotating display sign, radar dish, or like rotating assembly and a method for installing and removing same. The bearing assembly is coupled to a turntable on which the rotating assembly is mounted. The turntable can selectively be arranged to be turned and supported by a shaft and bearing of the bearing assembly, or it can be lowered onto and connected to a rotator frame which supports the bearing assembly, turntable, and rotating assembly. When the turntable is connected to the rotator frame the weight of the rotating assembly is shifted from the bearing assembly and is placed on the rotator frame allowing the bearing assembly to be removed therefrom for repair or replacement. The turntable can be used to permanently, immovably mount a sign or the like or to immovably mount such an assembly in advance of a later installation of a bearing structure and a rotating drive structure.

United States Patent [1 1 Biggs I [4 1 Apr. 2, 1974 TURNTABLE AND BEARING ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Eugene S. Biggs, Salt Lake City,

Utah

[73] Assignee: Dynapac, lnc., Salt Lake City, Utah [22] Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 246,611

[52] US. Cl. 29/l48.4 A, 29/401 [51] Int. Cl B23p 11/00, B23p 7/00 [58] Field of Search 29/401 R, 401.7, 148.4 A,

l [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,365,783 l/l968 Foster .7 29/401 Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager [57] ABSTRACT An assembly for supporting and turning a rotating display sign, radar dish, or like rotating assembly and a method for installing and removing same. The bearing assembly is coupled to a turntable on which the rotating assembly is mounted. The turntable can selectively be arranged to be turned and supported by a shaft and bearing of the bearing assembly, or it can be lowered onto and connected to a rotator frame which supports the bearing assembly, turntable, and rotating assembly. When the turntable is connected to the rotator frame the weight of the rotating assembly is shifted from the bearing assembly and is placed on the rotator frame allowing the bearing assembly to be removed therefrom for repair or replacement. The turntable can be used to permanently, immovably mount a sign or the like or to immovably mount such an assembly in advance of a later installation of a bearing structure and a rotating drive structure.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures 1 TURNTABLE AND BEARING ASSEMBLY BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method for removing assemblies for use with signs and the like, which are capable of supporting them and of mounting them for rotation, should this be desired.

2. Prior Art Structures for supporting and turning a rotating assembly such as a display sign, radar dish, or the like, have long been known and in use. Such structures have generally comprised bearing assemblies that provide the only support connection between the rotating assembly and the structure on which the unit turns. Therefore, when removal or replacement of the hearing or turning assembly has been required it has been necessary to entirely remove the rotating assembly from the bearing assembly and frame support structure. This has generally entailed the use of a boom truck or other suitable expensive hoist structure.

To effect a temporary support of adisplay sign by itssupport frame, during bearing replacement, some rotating devices have, in the past, included opposing brackets on the sign frame and on the rotator support frame. The opposing brackets are not in contact when the sign is turning but can be joined together, and the weight of the rotating assembly can be lowered onto the sign frame brackets, such that the sign bearing and turning assembly can be removed or repaired without first having to remove the sign from its support. The installation of such opposed support brackets within a sign requires a rearrangement of the internal sign structure, thereby necessitating additional frame materials and added costs. In addition, such frame additions and the brackets extending from the support structure into the sign interior provide obstructions that must be avoided in arranging lamps to light the sign. Also, such brackets have been such that the joints are somewhat distant from the point on the bracket where wind forces are applied. Consequently, a large moment develops on the joint when it is subjected to high'wind loads acting on the sign surface and the joint may shear. Such bracket arrangements have been used, therefore, only in signs of a size and type and at a location where moments developed by high wind loads do not exceed the structural limits of the individual joints.

No bearing and turning arrangement or support means has, heretofore, to my knowledge, provided an efficient and safe arrangement for shifting the weight of even a very heavy rotating assembly from its turning and bearing means directly onto its frame support structure. By shifting the weight of the rotating assembly and securing it to the frame support, the turning structure and bearing assembly associated with the rotating assembly can be easily disconnected and removed therefrom.

Also, to my knowledge, there has not heretofore been known a structure that would allow use of basic components thereof to mount a fixed supported structure on a frame and the same components plus a bearing assembly can be used to rotatably mount the supported structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide means that can be used to mount a supported structure, such as a display sign and that can be readily converted to change the supported structure from a fixed mounting to a rotatable mounting. The supported structure can constitute a permanently fixed structure, a temporarily fixed structure or a rotating assembly. Thus, the same design and structural components can be used for a fixed display sign, a temporarily fixed display sign intended to be made into a rotating sign at a later date, or a rotatable sign or radar dish, etc.

Another object is to provide a bearing assembly which supports and turns a supported structure comprising a rotating assembly and that has means associated therewith for alternatively securing the rotating unit directly to its rotator frame, so as to allow removal of the bearing assembly for repair or replacement, without prior removal of the rotating assembly.

Another object is to provide a turntable arrangement usable with or without a bearing assembly and which can have a supported structure mounted thereon. The turntable arrangement is capable of being coupled to a bearing assembly so as to turn the supported structure, or alternatively, to be locked to the top of a rotator frame to immovably fix the supported structure thereto.

The principal object is to provide a step by step method to shift the weight of a rotating assembly off from a bearing arrangement and onto a frame structure on which is mounted the rotating assembly.

' Principal features of the present invention include a turntable of the present invention having an upper flange for connection to a supported structure, a lower flange or batten plate, and a hub extending between the upper flange and the batten plate. The lower flange or batten plate has inner and outer sets of openings formed therein which inner and outer sets provide means for alternatively connecting the turntable to a bearing of a bearing assembly or to the top of a rotator frame.

The turntable, when arranged to turn a rotating assembly as a supported structure, is connected by bottom bolts or the like, through its inner ,set of openings to one race housing of a support bearing of the bearing assembly. The support bearing is, in turn, connected by its other race housing to the top of the rotator frame.

The turntable when arranged to rotate on the support bearing has rotational energy supplied thereto through a tapered shaft, extending from and forming part of the bearing assembly, that fits within a tapered hole axially formed in the turntable hub. A key or dowl fitted within an appropriate keyway or hole therein links the tapered shaft to the turntable hub. The tapered configuration of the hub and rotating shaft provides a snug coupling that is easily detachable. The taper design of the shaft and hub hole results in a single line engagement between the two surfaces such that the surfaces are readily separable.

When maintenance requires the detachment of the bearing assembly, or the source of rotation linked thereto, from the turntable supporting the rotating assembly, batten bolts are first installed through the outer set of openings in the turntable batten plate and into appropriate holes formed in the top of the rotator frame. The turntable is thereby locked to the top of the rotator frame while the weight of the turntable and rotating assembly still rests on the bearing assembly. Bolts securing the turntable bearing of the bearing assembly to the top of the rotator frame are then backed off, lowering the bearing assembly and the turntable connected thereto, until the undersurface of the turntable batten plate rests on the top of the rotator frame. The batten bolts connecting the turntable to the rotator frame are then tightened, securing the turntable directly to the rotator frame top. Batten bolts fitted through an inner set of batten plate openings that normally secure the turntable batten plate to the support bearing are then turned out to release the bearing assembly and the source of rotation. The bearing assembly shaft is thereby separated from the turntable hub, to allow the bearing assembly to be removed or repaired.

The turntable supporting the rotating assembly thereon, when bolted directly to the rotator frame, provides an immovable mounting that will safely support the rotating assembly for an indefinite time period. Obviously, therefore, the turntable could be used along to fixedly support a supported structure either temporarily or permanently. Thus, a bearing and turning assembly can be installed, if desired, at a later time withoutrequiring modifications or changes to the erected structure to make the supported structure into a rotating assembly.

A reverse procedure to that already described herein is followed during reinstallation of the tapered shaft of the bearing assembly into the turntable and the resecuring of the bearing assembly to the rotator frame.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a rotating sign mounted to a turntable and bearing assembly of the present invention that is coupled to source of rotation within a rotator frame;

FIG. 2, a front elevation view of the turntable and bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, that exposes the interior of the bearing assembly and its coupling to the turntable; and

FIG. 4, a perspective view of the turntable plate mounted on the rotator frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the illustrated preferred embodiment, a bearing assembly is coupled to a turntable that has a rotating assembly or turning unit, shown herein as a display sign 11, fixed to its top. The bearing assembly is coupled at its bottom to a source of rotation, shown as a conventional sign rotator 12. The sign rotator and a portion of the bearing assembly are shown contained within a rotator frame or housing 13 below the sign. It should be apparent that the sign rotator and bearing assembly could also be positioned between the top 13a of the rotator frame 13 and the bottom of the turntable 20, or could be arranged within the display sign itself, and that the rotator frame could be of other configuration, and that it constitutes a fixed support structure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bearing assembly 10 is arranged to rotate sign 1] through its connection with turntable 20. The bearing assembly 10 consists of a top collar 14a of a bearing housing 14 which is connected to the rotator housing top 13a by nuts 15a threaded onto the ends of bearing housing bolts 15, FIG. 3. The heads of bolts 15 are recessed, FIG. 3, within appropriate countersunk holes formed in the housing top 13a.

A retaining plate 16 is arranged above collar 14a, and is positioned within an appropriate opening formed in the housing top 13a in contactwith a movable inner race housing 17c of an upper bearing 17 that has a fixed outer race 17!; press fitted and maintained within a groove 170, FIG. 3, formed within collar 14a. Retainer plate 16 has a number of threaded holes 18, formed therein into which inner batten bolts 19, inserted through inner batten plate holes 18a, are turned. Batten bolts 19 couple together the retainer plate 16 and the lower flange -or batten plate 21 of a turntable 20. An upper flange 22 of the turntable 20 is secured by turntable bolts 23 to the bottom of the frame of the rotating sign 11. A turntable hub 24, extends between the turntable upper flange 22 and lower batten plate 21, and has a drive shaft hole 25, FIG. 3, formed axially in its center. Drive shaft hole 25 is preferably tapered from a lesser diameter, adjacent to the upper flange 22, to a greater diameter, adjacent to the batten plate 21. Matching keyways 26a and 2612 are formed in the walls of shaft hole 25 and in a drive shaft 28, respectively. The keyways are aligned to accommodate a lock key 27 fitted therein so as to couple the drive shaft 28 to the hub 24. Drive shaft 28, FIG. 3, has a head 28a that is tapered to conform to and fit snuggly within shaft hole 25, and has projections 29 that act as lugs fitting within recesses 16a formed in the inner circumference 16a of retaining plate 16. Projection 29 causes the retaining plate to turn with the drive shaft 28. A pier 16b, formed at the inner circumference of retaining plate 16, extends downwardly therefrom to contact the inner race housing 170 of upper bearing 17. Thus, the retainer plate 16 rests upon and will rotate with the inner race housing 170 of bearing 17.

Drive shaft 28 extends from head 28a past movable inner race housings 17c and 300 of the upper and lower bearings 17 and 30, respectively, and is connected at its base, not shown, to an output shaft extending from a gear box of the sign rotator 12. An outer housing 30b of the lower bearing 30 is arranged to fit within a groove 30a formed in the lower end 14b of bearing housing 14. A collar 31, FIG. 3, supported on a locking ring 32 that snaps into a groove 33 formed around the base 28b of the drive shaft supports the inner race 300 of lower bearings 30, to thereby hold the bearing in an enlarged bore portion 30a of bearing housing 14.

In the sign supporting and turning arrangement, the bearing assembly 10 serves as a rigid coupling between the rotator gear box 12a of sign rotator 12 and the rotation sign 11. In this arrangement the weight of sign 11 acts through turntable 20 and retainer plate 16 against the inner race housing 17c of upper bearing 17. Retainer plate 16 is within an opening formed in the housing top 13a and turns with inner race housing 17c. The turntable batten plate 21 above retainer plate 16 is arranged to just clear the housing top 13a.

To translate the weight of sign 11 from the bearing assembly 10 onto housing top 13a, outer batten bolts 34, shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, are first inserted through outer openings 35 that are formed in the batten plate 21. Batten bolts 34 are then turned into threaded holes 36 formed in the housing top 130,

thereby securing plate 21 to the rotator frame and preventing rotation of the sign I]. The inner batten bolts 19 next are turned fully out of threaded holes 18 in retainer plate 16. Nuts 15a are then turned off the ends of housing bolts 15 to lower the turntable batten plate 21 onto housing top 13a. Next, the outer batten bolts 34 are threaded fully into the threaded holes 36, to secure the turntable batten plate 21 and sign 11 thereabove to the housing top 13a.

Removal of nuts 15a from housing bolts 15 allows bearing assembly 10, containing the upper and lower bearings 17 and 30, bearing housing 14, retainer plate 16', and drive shaft 28, to be removed for maintenance or repair. Such removal is facilitated by use of a tapered upper drive shaft head 28a and the tapered hole 25 in hub 24, since no further frictional engagement occurs after the initial movement of the drive shaft downwardly away from the hub. Friction binding between the hub and shaft is thereby minimuzed to facilitate insertion and withdrawal of the drive shaft into and out of hub 24.

The bearing assembly is installed or reinstalled within the rotator frame or housing 13, and is connected to the turntable 20 by following, in reverse, the steps heretofore described. The bearings and drive shaft of the bearing assembly 10 are rearranged in the bearing housing 14 and are reinserted into the rotatorframe. The bearing assembly tapered drive shaft head 28a is then moved into hole 25in hub 24, with keyways 26a and 26b aligned and key 27 fitted therein to lock the drive shaft and hub together. As the drive shaft is inserted into hub hole 24 the bearing housing 14 is rotated to the extent necessary, to fit the housing bolts 15, which extend from the housing top 13a, through appropriate holes not shown in the bearing housing collar 14a. Nuts a are then turned onto the ends of housing bolts 15 to connect the bearing housing 10 to the housing top 13a and to position and align the retainer plate 16 beneath the undersurface of the turntable batten plate 21. The outer batten plate bolts 34 are then turned partially out off, but are not removed, from the threaded holes 36 in the housing top 13a. Nuts 15a are turned further onto housing bolts 15 to raise the bearing housing, "and bearing assembly until the bearing housing collar tightly abuts the undersurface of housing top 13a. Inner batten bolts 19 are thereafter turned through inner batten plate holes 18a into threaded holes 18 in the retainer plate 16 to lock the turntable batten plate 21 to the retainer plate. The outer batten plate bolts 34 are then removed allowing the turntable with the sign 1 I mounted thereon to turn freely with retainer plate 16, the inner race housing 170 of bearing 6 17 and drive shaft 28.

Turntable 20 can also be used without the turning and bearing assembly to rigidly support a fixed sign or other such supported unit. Such a utilization allows the supported unit to be mounted to a support post either permanently or temporarily. At a later time, without requiring modifications or additions to the existing structure, the bearing and turning arrangement can be installed therein, as desired to make the supported structure into a rotating assembly.

It should be understood that the inner batten bolts 19, the housing bolts and nuts 15 and 15a, and the outer batten plate bolts 34, shown in dotted lines, FIGS. 2 and 3, except when the bearing assembly 10 is being installed or removed, are not all installed at the same time on the turntable and bearing assembly of the present invention. Rather, as has already been fully explained herein, the outer batten plate bolts 34 are installed when necessary to rigidly connect the turntable 20 to the rotator frame top 13a, and the inner batten bolts 19 and housing bolts and nuts 15 and 15a are installed when necessary to connect the turntable 20 to the bearing assembly 10.

Although a preferred form' of my invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter, which subject matter I regard as my invention.

I claim:

1. A method for removing a bearing assembly that has a bearing and drive shaft arranged within a housing, and a turning unit driving said drive shaft, said bearing assembly and turning unit being mounted within a rotator frame to turn a rotatable unit that rests upon the top of a turntable, comprising the steps of connecting an outer portion of the turntable to the rotator frame, thereby prohibiting further rotation of said rotating assembly;

disconnecting said turntable from the turning portion of said bearing assembly; disconnecting said bearing assembly housing from said rotator frame and allowing said bearing assembly to be displaced away from said turntable;

removing said bearing assembly and turning unit from said rotator frame; and

securing said turntable to said rotator frame such that said rotatable unit is supported on said rotator frame, thereby allowing the bearing assembly to be removed, as for repair or replacement. 

1. A method for removing a bearing assembly that has a bearing and drive shaft arranged within a housing, and a turning unit driving said drive shaft, said bearing assembly and turning unit being mounted within a rotator frame to turn a rotatable unit that rests upon the top of a turntable, comprising the steps of connecting an outer portion of the turntable to the rotator frame, thereby prohibiting further rotation of said rotating assembly; disconnecting said turntable from the turning portion of said bearing assembly; disconnecting said bearing assembly housing from said rotator frame and allowing said bearing assembly to be displaced away from said turntable; removing said bearing assembLy and turning unit from said rotator frame; and securing said turntable to said rotator frame such that said rotatable unit is supported on said rotator frame, thereby allowing the bearing assembly to be removed, as for repair or replacement. 